Whirlpool Dishwasher: Motor Hot but Won't Run

The horizontally mounted motor on my 5 year old Whirlpool Model DP840
dishwasher has stopped running. The sprayer arm rotates freely when
turned manually. The machine fills and the inlet control valve shuts
off the water supply at what appears to be the correct point. The
timer progresses through all the cycles but the motor never kicks in
and the water never drains out. The motor body feels very warm to
the touch, so it appears to be getting some voltage. Any ideas?

The motor is probably shot. Could be bearings, could be electrical. I'd
pull it out and have it checked by a motor shop or just replace it. You can
get one from a local dealer or www.repairclinic.com They also have
troubleshooting help too.

Turn off the electricity to the dishwasher from the breaker.
Remove the kick plate.
Remove the fan cover over the motor.
Turn the fan with your finger until it moves freely.
Turn on the power and check operation. If the motor is running turn
off the power again.
Put everything back the way it was. Turn on power back on .
Something may have been blocking your impeller. If it happens again
you may need to access it to clean out what ever is in the way.

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks guys. I neglected to reveal that the DW was working fine until
I removed it last month to remodel my kitchen. It sat covered with a
tarp on my outdoor patio the whole time.
I followed your advice to remove the motor & pump assy and see if the
shaft would turn freely by hand. It WOULDN'T at first, then it
suddenly broke free. Guess the cold weather and inactivity caused
something to temporarily bind. Anyway, after cleaning it and putting
everything back together, it's working normally. Good thing: the
motor alone is about 80 bucks plus tax & shipping and the motor with
pump attached goes for around $135. A complete new DW of the same
make-model is $549 at Lowes; that would have probably been the way I'd
have gone, considering the machine is 4 or 5 years old already.

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